Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2013

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension was not incurred or aggravated by his second period of active duty service and denied the claim.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for arthritis of the back and neck, but denied the claim for hypertension. The bilateral knee condition is considered secondary to residuals of right ankle fracture.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the failure to appear for a scheduled Travel Board hearing. The case will be returned to the Board after scheduling a new hearing.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for asthma and service connection for hypertension is being remanded due to inadequate development. The VA examiner should provide a new opinion on the etiology of the Veteran's hypertension, considering his Norvasc prescription and blood pressure readings during service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a recurrent skin rash, kidney disorder, and hypertension were denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not have exposure to herbicide agents during his service in Vietnam and thus could not establish presumptive service connection.

The Veteran's hypertension and heart condition did not manifest during active service or within one year of separation, and are not related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, hypertension, and a chronic kidney disorder was denied. The evidence did not establish that these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by service.,No presumptive exposure to Agent Orange, Camp Lejeune, Gulf War Syndrome, or other environmental exposures is claimed.

The Board has found that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's currently diagnosed peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities was caused or aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus. The case is being remanded for further development regarding the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for hypertension, including as secondary to diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and additional development.

The Board found that the Veteran's cognitive disorder and hypertension were not incurred in service, but rather resulted from his own willful misconduct. The claims are therefore denied.

The Veteran's dyslipidemia is considered a laboratory finding and not a disability due to disease or injury. The Board finds no service connection for this condition.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for arterial hypertension and bilateral hearing loss. The claim of service connection for arterial hypertension was reopened, but denied on the merits.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension was not incurred in or aggravated by his military service, including presumed exposure to herbicides. The evidence did not support a finding of service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension is proximately due to his service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for a higher evaluation for his service-connected diabetes mellitus was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 20 percent, as the disability required insulin and regulation of activities but no additional complications or symptoms warranting a higher rating were present.

The Board is remanding the claim for hypertension to obtain a supplemental opinion from the VA examiner regarding whether the Veteran's pre-existing hypertension existed prior to service and was aggravated by service, or if it is otherwise related to service. The claim will be readjudicated based on all additional evidence received.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate notice regarding unavailability of private medical records. The Veteran must be informed that certain records could not be obtained and provided with an opportunity to respond.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to his satisfaction with the last rating decision.

The Veteran has a current diagnosis of hypertension that began during his active service. The Board grants the appeal for service connection for hypertension based on direct service connection.

The Board has remanded the claims due to a need for further development and hearing.